Municipality reckons Water Conservation and Water Demand Management strategy is the answer for eMalahleni’s water problems

R2 billion is needed by the local municipality to replace and upgrade the water infrastructure to cope with the current water demand and reduce the high water losses.

Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.

Knowing that their water system is far beyond stable, the Emalahleni Local Municipality introduced the Water Conservation and Water Demand Management strategy.

“We aim to achieve sustainable, efficient, and affordable management of water services and to contribute to the protection of the environment, ecology, and water resources,” Mr Sizwe Mayisela, the municipal manager explained.

He said business plans and technical reports in line with the recommendations have been submitted to the sector departments for funding and they are still waiting for approvals.

“We need R2 billion to replace and upgrade water infrastructure to cope with the current water demand and reduce the high water losses.”

eMalahleni’s water losses for the 2020/2021 financial year is 42% which is way above the norms and standards of the Department of Water and Sanitation monetary value is about R171 791 109.87.

The high water losses are aggravated by the ongoing pipe bursts, overflowing reservoirs and inadequate telemetry system which contribute to about 80% of the municipality’s physical or real water losses and only 20% are commercial and apparent losses.

The municipality water system is partly automated which also poses some operational issues because most of the time the system is dependent fully on human availability.

Not a drop of water for three consecutive days in parts of eMalahleni

This leaves a rippling effect of questions; is there a competent component steering the local municipality’s water department and why if the problems are identified, not addressed immediately.

Interim measures have been put in place to try and keep water running through the pipes.

An R6 million project replacing asbestos cement (AC) pipes in Highveld Park is completed. R3 million has been set aside for the replacement of AC pipes in Ext 8.

Exxaro donated a 1.3-million-rand water tanker truck to Emakhazeni Local Municipality

The municipality is about 70% done on the R2 million installation of pressure management devices.

An R7 million project for the installation and refurbishment of isolation valves is ongoing.

The municipality is waiting for approval of funding for an R10 million upgrade of the telemetry system.

“The implementation of the Water Master Plan, Water Services Development Plan, and Water Conservation and Water Demand Management strategies will come a long way in ensuring sustainable water provision in Emalahleni although funding remains a major challenge,” Mayisela concluded.